Thursday 27 September 1917 We Lost 1,180

by greatwarliveslost

Conrad Hugh Dinwiddy

British naval aircraft carry out a bombing raid on St Denis Westrem Aerodrome and direct hits are observed on fifteen Gotha bombers lined up there. Major Basil D Hobbs (Royal Flying Corps) catches the German submarine UC-6 on the surface near the Sunk Light Vessel and his bombs sink the submarine.

Today’s losses include:

The son of a General

Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great Wara

An inventory, Kensington Councilor and mountaineer

The son of a member of the clerlgy

A man whose son will be killed in the Second World War

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Major Sidney Miles Toppin MC (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action at age 39. He is the son of the late Major General James Morris Toppin and his brother was killed in September 1914.

Captain Conrad Hugh Dinwiddy (Royal Garrison Artillery) dies of wounds at age 36. He is the inventor of the ‘Dinwiddy’ range finder for enemy aircraft which was adopted by the War Office. He was councilor for the Borough of Kensington and a well known mountaineer.

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) James Harcourt Cecil Gatchell (Royal Army Medical Corps attached Royal Sussex Regiment) is killed in action. He is the son of the Reverend Doctor James H, Rector of Earlsgift.

Corporal Edmund Haddon Hopkins (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 25. His brother died of wounds in January 1915.

Driver Alfred Valerio (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds received in action at age 35. His brother will be killed in June 1918.

Private Albert Charles Yendle (Australian Infantry) is killed in action at age 22. His younger brother was killed in 1916 at age 16.

Private John Roland Baker (Liverpool Regiment) is killed in action. His brother will be killed in October 1918.

Able Seaman Grenville Edgar Pigott (HMS Nerissa) dies of illness at age 36. His brother was killed when HMS Monmouth was sunk in November 1914.

Private John William Oldham (Lancaster Regiment) is killed at age 27. His brother will be killed in less than two weeks.

Private Henry Hayles (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed. His son will be killed in the Second World War.

Bombardier George William Speer (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 28. His two brothers will be killed next year.